Basketball's No. 1 Anti-Fan

Chapter 50 Starting
The angle of this report was a strange one, especially when other reporters were looking for excuses for the Cavaliers' loss.

But it is easy to accept because it is actually true.

The fans then automatically generated two pieces of information: First, Hansen saved the Cavaliers; second, the Cavaliers are having problems with their current play.

The Magic have become weaker this season, the Raptors can only be considered a fringe playoff team at best, and the Cavaliers should not have played like this in these two games.

The long-awaited public pressure erupted in a more violent way due to this report.

Varejao's poor performance has become the target of public criticism, considering that he just signed a six-year, $6 million contract with the Cavaliers this summer.

Soon after, Brown's use of players was also questioned.

It was obvious that Cunningham and O'Neal had a good partnership in the first game, but Brown insisted on starting with Varejao.

The next day after returning to Cleveland, Hansen went to the gym early for training as usual.

After training for a while, James and his trainer also came to the gym.

James looked very unhappy, and this time Varejao was not with him.

Before the official training session began, Brown also announced a piece of news: Varejao will not be able to play in the next game due to pain in his left ankle, and Cunningham will replace him as the starting power forward.

Is this a staircase?
Recalling James's expression, Han Sen instantly understood what was going on.

I have to say, the power of public opinion is really useful!
After the training was over that day, Cunningham took Hansen to the bar to celebrate.

Because of Xia Lian’s experience, he directly got a private room.

"This is like a dream." Cunningham really felt it was unreal.

He was originally just an early second-round prospect, but because the Cavaliers needed to add a power forward after trading away Hickson for Hanson, he was selected in the first round.

But as the 30th pick in the first round, on a championship-contending team, his chances are visibly slim.

But who would have thought that he would start directly after only two games in the regular season.

It’s dreamy. So fucking dreamy.

"This is luck. Courtney Lee started 42 games for the Magic as a rookie last season." Hansen gave a very fitting example.

Although he was the driving force behind Cunningham's starting role, he is the only one on the Cavaliers' current roster who can replace Varejao.

As far as Hansen knows, that was the role that was supposed to be played by sophomore Hickson before Jamison came to Cleveland.

And Hickson is a short power forward who can create space but can't shoot three-pointers.

"I feel a lot less pressure when you say that." Cunningham smiled and poured wine into their glasses.

"No pressure, you just have to get into open shots and play defense."

"By the way, control the fouls." Thinking of Cunningham's old habit, Han Sen added.

Cunningham nodded and raised his glass to clink with Hansen.

"I just don't know when you can get into the starting lineup." Putting down the wine glass, Cunningham also began to care about Hansen.

"I'm very comfortable now." Although Han Sen was still a substitute in the last game, he played for a full 28 minutes, which is no different from a starter.

"But it won't be long."

……

In the following week, the Cavaliers played against the Timberwolves, Bobcats and Knicks respectively, and won three consecutive games.

康宁汉姆在这三场比赛里场均出场19.8分钟，场均贡献6.3分3板1抢断0.6封盖2.5犯规，投篮命中率49.5%。

Aside from committing a few fouls, he did everything Hansen asked him to do perfectly: shoot into open space and defend well.

Varejao "returned" against the Bobcats, but did not return to the starting lineup as expected.

And with Cunningham's performance, he probably won't be able to return to the starting lineup this season.

But in fact, the most important change brought about by this adjustment is that James and O'Neal play more comfortably.

James even played five of the best shots, such as a sudden pass and assists to O'Neal for a dunk. After making lineup adjustments, the Cavaliers can be said to have swept away the slump at the start of the game and entered a honeymoon period.

It’s just that this honeymoon period is a little short-lived.

They lost their first game in November, at home, to the Heat.

Wade scored 43 points and became the first contributor to the Heat's victory.

This game was very representative because the Heat played a very strong targeted game from the start, with Wade using pick-and-rolls to continuously attack O'Neal.

Parker couldn't keep up, O'Neal couldn't get out, and Wade's touch was quickly developed after the opening.

At this time, Brown replaced Hansen, but the defensive effect was not as good as expected.

A 4-2 start is not very good for the Cavaliers, whose only goal is to win the championship.

What's worse is that they are about to embark on a Western Conference road trip, which includes teams like the Suns and Jazz who have top guards and are very good at pick-and-roll.

The Heat set an example, and these teams, unless they are stupid, will definitely take advantage of it.

The first stop on the Cavaliers' road trip is Oklahoma.

Although the Thunder are not good at pick-and-roll, they have a top outside player like Durant.

Moreover, they have been in good form since the start of the season, also achieving a record of 4 wins and 2 losses.

The night before the Western Conference road trip, Hansen was in the team's video room studying Durant's game tapes from this season when Malone showed up and knocked on the door.

"How's the research going?" Ma Long came in and sat down at the computer.

"I shouldn't have beaten him in the tryout." Han Sen stood up and made a cup of instant coffee for both of them.

"What do you mean?" Ma Long took the coffee with some confusion.

"This guy has discovered the problem with his offensive habits. When he shoots, he no longer shoots through the right side of his face, but directly from bottom to top." Han Sen took a sip of coffee and then made a summary, "The defense is twice as difficult."

Upon hearing this, Ma Long put the coffee on the table and started watching the video.

After watching for a while, he raised his head and looked at Han Sen with unconcealed admiration: "You have studied it more thoroughly than the coaching staff."

"Have you figured out how to defend?" Malone asked.

Han Sen shook his head.

Although Durant is only in his third year, he has demonstrated amazing scoring ability this season. He currently averages 35 points per game, the highest in the league.

In a way, Durant should thank him.

Malone then said, “You will start at the No. 2 position tomorrow.”

Hearing this, Han Sen put his coffee on the table and sat down.

This happened faster than he expected. He thought that he would be given the task only after the team suffered a series of defeats.

"LeBron didn't object?"

Malone took a sip of coffee, put down the cup and said with a smile: "Didn't you say that the defense is twice as difficult?"

Han Sen also smiled when he heard this.

Yes, Durant changed to the three position this season.

Although James will not defend Durant on the court, when discussing the statistics after the game, Durant and he are matched against each other.

……

The day before the game, the Cavaliers arrived in Oklahoma and trained at the Ford Center training hall that afternoon.

The news that Hansen will start in the game has been reported by the media, so after the training, a reporter interviewed Hansen and asked about the matchup with Durant.

Tsk, how come the whole world knows that James doesn’t guard Durant?
Han Sen adjusted his mood and said viciously, "I will beat Durant, just like I did during the trial training here!"

(End of this chapter)